In the previous article, we started to dive into the teachings of the Mahanirvana Tantra, which has been translated into English by Arthur Avalon. The Scriptures speak of the Kali Yuga, the present age in which we currently live, as the age of destruction, transformation and rebirth. They describe it as a ladder for spiritual transformation due to its intensity of energies, due to decadence and opposition to truth. The murky waters of the Kali Yuga lead to an emergence and blossoming from its depths, like a pure white lotus arising into the dawn of the Satya Yuga; the age of truth, purity and spiritual abundance.
In the following article, we will dive deep into the Yugas, or ages, which are big cycles of time. We will dive into the lokas (worlds), inhabitants of the worlds. We will look at stages or periods of spiritual life called ashramas.
Satya Yuga
There are 4 yugas or ages in the Scripture. As we cycle through them, they influence, for better or worse, man and the world in which he lives. These 4 yugas are called Satya, Treta, Dvapara and Kali-yuga, the last being the one in which the world is now. A kalpa, or a day in Brahma’s life, is divided into 14 manvantaras, which are again subdivided into 72 maha-yugas, the length of each of which is 4,320,000 years. The maha-yuga (great age) is then composed of 4 yugas (Satya, Treta, Dvapara, Kali).
According to some teachings, man appeared on the earth in an imperfect state, and he continuously transforms and raises himself. This kind of teaching can be conflictual with Hindu, Greek and Roman teachings, which speak of a bygone Golden age when man was both innocent and happy. This primordial perfection in which man was one with nature can be seen in the descriptions of the Satya Yuga, which is considered to be the age of righteousness, free of sin, marked by longevity, physical strength, beauty and spiritual vigour.
“There were giants in those days, whose moral, mental and physical strength enabled them to undergo long brahmacharya (continence) and tapas (austerities).”
Spiritual activities were embedded in daily life, and people died when they chose to. During this age, there were 4 great incarnations of Vishnu.
The Other Yugas
During the second age, or the Treta Yuga, righteousness (dharma) decreased, as well as longevity, strength and stature. A human life lasted for 10,000 years. There was one quarter sin and three quarters virtue remained. Man was attached to charitable acts and sacrifice.
During the third age, Dvapara Yuga, righteousness decreased by one-half. Weakness and disease increased and marked this age. The duration of the age was 864,000 years. Sin and virtue were equal in force. Man became restless, deceitful, and eager to acquire knowledge.
The fourth age is the age of decadence and is the present age, called Kali Yuga. Righteousness exists to the extent of one quarter. The duration of this age is 432,000 human years. It is characterised by spiritual and moral decadence, a decrease in longevity and strength and an increase in disease and weakness. According to the Mahanirvana Tantra, this is the most auspicious time for spiritual practice and liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth.
Kalki Avatar
Kalki Avatar is considered to be the destroyer of sin and the one who will restore the age of righteousness. He will bring humanity into the age of the Satya Yuga. Kalki Purana speaks of Kalki avatar: “One whose body is blue like that of the rain-charged cloud, who with sword in hand rides, as does the rider of the Apocalypse, a white horse swift as the wind, the Cherisher of the people, Destroyer of the race of the Kali-yuga, the Source of true religion.”
All the ages have their own scriptures. The scripture of the Satya Yuga is Shruti (the Vedas & the Upanishads). The scripture of the Treta Yuga is Smriti (in the sense of Dharma-Shastra and Shruti-jivika, etc.). The scripture of the Dvapara Yuga is the Purana. The scripture of the Kali Yuga is the Tantra, which is said to contain the very core of the Veda.
The Lokas or Spiritual Worlds
The lokas, or the spiritual worlds, refer to different planes of existence. The most common classification of lokas is the Trailokya or three worlds, and another classification is that which states that there are 14 lokas, 7 upper ones called Vyahrtis and 7 lower ones called Patalas.
The higher lokas are described as heavens populated by gods and full of truthfulness, while the lower lokas constitute different hells. In each of these realms, beings are living.
There is the sphere of the earth called Bhurloka, with its continents, mountains, rivers, and oceans. It is the seventh or lowest of the upper worlds. Beneath it are the “Hells and Nether Worlds.”
Above the terrestrial sphere is Bhuvarloka, the sphere known under the name “antariksha”, which is expanding from the earth to the sun, in which dwell siddhas and other celestial beings.
Svarloka is considered the land of gods and goddesses, a heavenly sphere from the sun to the pole star. It is that which delights the mind, as hell or Naraka is that which gives pain.
Maharloka is above Svarloka, and above this are Janaroka, Tapoloka and Satyaloka, each inhabited by various forms of celestial intelligence of higher and higher degree.
Below the earth are seven nether worlds: Sutala, Vitala, Talatala, Mahatala, Rasatala, Atala and Patala, where, according to the Puranas, dwell the Naga serpent divinities, brilliant with jewels. Below Patala is the form of Vishnu, which is considered to be the support of the Universe with his Shakti Varuni or Laksmi, his own embodied radiance.
Ashramas or Periods of the Spiritual Life
The Ashramas are known as the four stages in the life of a Brahman. The first stage is that of a student or brahmachari. The second stage is the period of secular life as a married householder. Grihastha, the third stage, is that of a recluse or vanaprastha, where one retires from the world. The last stage is that of a beggar or bhikshu, when one begs for a daily meal and meditates on the Supreme Being to which he is about to return.
The Mahanirvana Tantra states that in the Kali Yuga, there are only two ashramas or stages. The second garhasthya and the last bhiksuka.
This article was written by Zita.
To be continued….
